Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has one NFC Conference championship ring (1998) and no Super Bowl Trophy, but all of that can change this season after Saturday’s win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Atlanta wanted to make statement in the 2011 NFL Draft and it did just that with its first round pick, selecting former Alabama wide receiver and 2009 BCS national champion Julio Jones.
With the exception of one rough season (2013, injury), Jones has become the face of the National Football League. Along with re-writing the Falcons’ record books, consistently terrorizes defensive backs with his size—6-foot-3 and 220 pounds—speed and catching radius. He took the league’s top-ranked offense into the NFC’s Divisional round playoff game against the “Legion of Boom’s” figurehead, Richard Sherman.
The self-proclaimed best cornerback in the NFL could do nothing with Jones, allowing four receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown. Five of Jones’ six catches went for first downs, including four against Sherman.
Despite leaving the game with a foot injury, the four-time Pro Bowler totaled 67 yards receiving on eight targets. Atlanta defeated Seattle 36-20, punching its ticket to next week’s NFC Conference title game.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
